I couldn't use my credit card anymore.
That was one of the number one rules of being on the run according to TV.
No credit cards because you can be tracked.
Rule two: Toss the phone because it can also be traced.
Other than that I was completely clueless about how to avoid being hunted down by the people that wanted to kill me. I'm not a spy or a sleuth or anything like that. I was a scientist that spent my time in a lab doing experiments on destroying cancer cells. I didn't realize how much trouble I would be in once I discovered a viable cure for cancer in rats.
It was a normal day, and I was on getting my nails done on my day off at my favorite little salons in downtown Charlotte, not far from the University where I did my research supported by grants. My cell phone rang during the manicure, and usually I didn't answer it, but it was from my department head.
"Elinor! Where are you? You need to get out of town, quick!" He hoarsely shouted into the phone. I was concerned because I had never heard the gentle man speak above a raspy conversational tone, he was a heavy smoker and his voice gave that away.
"What's going on, Lewis? Why do I need to run away?" I asked and pulled my hands away from the nail technician who scowled at me interrupting her work.
"The test results of your last cancer cell trial came back; you finally did it! But the pharma company sponsoring us sent some men here to gather up all of your research, claiming it is their "intellectual property" and all that. I knew it was all bullshit, but they didn't look like accountants or scientists. The men they sent looked ready to hurt us or worse!"
They didn't want the cure for cancer because it wasn't profitable.
Months later, I live off of the grid in my grandfather's old cabin in the mountains, burning wood in an old stove to keep warm at night and sleeping with his service pistol under my pillow. I withdrew all of my money from the bank, riding a bicycle to local dollar store to spending what little cash I have for food. When the money runs out they'll probably find me.
Photo by Julia Koblitz on Unsplash
